Latest KFF Health News Stories
House Democrats Vote To Condemn Trump’s Health Law Pivot As Republicans Try To Change The Subject
Democrats want to keep the spotlight on the issue, which they see as a winning topic for them with voters. Meanwhile, Republicans, who have born the political bruises from the debate over the past two years, want to direct the nation’s attention elsewhere. And though President Donald Trump seemed on board with that strategy earlier in the week, yesterday he once again promised to have a health plan that was ready for “full display during the election.”
For Many Countries, Poverty Lays At The Heart Of Why Measles, Once Nearly Vanquished, Has Returned
Medical systems in many countries remain too weak to vaccinate enough children year after year to wall out the virus. Media outlets report on the outbreaks in the U.S., as well.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on health care policies.
Perspectives: Americans Are Prescribed Too Many Drugs And It’s Being Driven By Pharma
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia, Florida and Ohio.
Instead of doctors making diagnoses and then suggesting treatments, these sites allow patients to request drugs. Then, physicians serve largely as gatekeepers. But there are few regulations and a host of dangerous practices–like not warning patients about side effects of the drugs–that comes along with this new trend. In other public health news: DNA testing, gene editing, low-carb diets, a marijuana extract, heart health and more.
The Sackler family’s role in the opioid crisis has been under scrutiny as court documents have revealed how involved members were in Purdue Pharma’s aggressive marketing tactics. In the first court response from the family, members say the picture its critics have been painting has been a false one. In other news on the coverage: insurers refute report on coverage for non-opioid pain treatments, uninsured St. Louis residents to be offered addiction treatment, Georgia lawmakers vote to weaken opioid tracking, and more.
Outgoing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said changes might involve a “more tailored fit” to examine a product’s algorithms, a manufacturer’s plan to make modifications and ability to manage any risks. Other technology news focuses on electronic health records projects at the VA and elsewhere.
Kansas’ Senate President Balks As Governor Calls For Lawmakers To Expand Medicaid
But even top Republicans in the state are getting nervous about their ability to fully block expansion, which has the support of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. State Senate President Susan Wagle told reporters that GOP leaders plan to have a legislative committee study Medicaid expansion this summer and fall. Medicaid news comes out of Arkansas, Montana, Texas and Tennessee, as well.
Tough Negotiations With PBMs Over Generic Drugs Leads To ‘Very Disappointing Quarter’ For Walgreens
The prices that pharmacies like Walgreens pay for generic drugs has been falling, but not as fast as insurers’ reimbursement rates. The shrinking gap between the price Walgreens pays and the amount it receives after dispensing the drug is reducing profit margins, the company says. Other health industry news covers the legal struggles over a popular weedkiller that’s been linked to cancer, an innovative approach to cutting costs, and caregiving benefits.
For many years, families arriving at the border were typically released from U.S. custody immediately and allowed to settle in this country with family or friends while their cases wound their way through the courts, a process that often takes years. President Donald Trump has railed against that practice, but detention and processing centers are too overwhelmed to do much more than that now. Meanwhile, a controversial detention camp in Florida is expanding and officials say that cuts to foreign aid to Central America will only increase the immigration problems at the U.S. border.
Although the petition to bring the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” to the floor is unlikely to succeed, Republicans want to use it to put the spotlight on Democrats and their positions on abortion. “They can’t hide from anyone. They have to take a position,” said Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Abortion news comes out of Georgia and Ohio, as well.
Insulin Makers To Be Called In Front Of Congress To Answer For Price Hikes
“We want to know why the cost of this life-saving drug has skyrocketed in recent years, and why they’re not offering more lower-cost alternatives to patients,” said Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce oversight subcommittee. The price of insulin has come to symbolize the problems with drug pricing and the pharmaceutical industry. The hearing is scheduled for next week.
Not everyone in the health industry, though, is feeling quite as gung-ho as Congress. Hospitals and some medical-specialty groups say that the federal government shouldn’t dictate terms between private business, and that establishing rates for out-of-network bills could be a slippery slope that later leads to broader rate setting.
Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) are part of the moderate wing of the party, which is pushing for more incremental improvements to health coverage rather than overhauling the whole system. Their “Medicare X” plan would allow anyone to buy into Medicare, but leave the existing private insurance marketplace intact. Meanwhile, a progressive lawmaker questions House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s aide over reports he undermined the “Medicare for All” movement.
After talking with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, President Donald Trump took health care replacement off the table until after the 2020 elections. But the president’s spotlight on the issue, which many Democrats view as a winning one for them, makes it likely that it will crop up as a main talking point on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, Trump beseeches Republicans to own the topic of health care and “take it away” from the Democrats.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
